WAITAHUNA WEST SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22776, 11 January 1936, Page 2

WAITAHUNA WEST SCHOOL

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS SUCCESSFUL FUNCTIONS Beautiful weather favoured the Waitahuna West School Jubilee Committee on Thursday, when the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the school was celebrated in a fitting manner. Although the community is small, there was an attendance of over 200 persons, and the various functions passed off very successfully. The school was opened in 1885, with a roll number of 11, Miss M. Cameron being the first teacher. During the 50 years of its existence 181 pupils have passed through it. The greatest roll number was in the years 1895 and 1898, when it reached 31, and the lowest was in May, 1934, when it dwindled to three. The present roll number is seven, and the teacher is Mr George Fordyce. Amongst those present on Thursday were two of the original pupils, Mrs J. Cameron (nee Martha Kell) and Mr s J. French (nee Jane Kell), both of whom are still resident in the district. Amongst the exteachers present -were' Mrs Allan (nee Provo), Mrs Heenan (nee L. Smith), and Miss Craig. The various decades fell in at the back of the school and marched to the front of the building, where a panoramic photograph of the crowd was taken. The chairman of the committee (Mr S. Webster) extended a welcome to all present. He said it was pleasing to see such a large attendance, and he hoped they would take the opportunity to recall incidents of school days and generally to have a happy reunion. Prior to

1885, the land in the district was owned by the late Mr James Smith, of Greenfield, and it was later subdivided and provision made for a school, which was opened on November 12, 1885, with Miss Cameron as teacher and an attendance of seven, the same as it was to-day. He would like to make reference to the work of the Otago Education Board, the teachers who had imparted knowledge to the children, the ex-committeemen and parents who had helped to keep the school going. He welcomed visiting ex-pupils, present pupils, and friends. He asked them to remember absent friends, many of whom would be with them that day in spirit, and as a mark of respect to those who passed away he asked them to stand in silence. He expressed pleasure at the presence of Mr D. T. Fleming (representing the Education Board), Mr J. A. Roy, M.P., Mr James Smith, and Messrs Skinner and Davidson (ex-oommittee-men).

Mr Fleming expressed pleasure at being invited to take part in such a happy gathering, which he said must be- gratitying to the organisers. Such gatherings gave opportunity for ex-pupils and others to renew old acquaintances and talk over old times. When the school was opened 50 years ago the roads and country were different from what they were to-day, and it was difficult for the present-day pupils to realise the hardships of the pioneers. He thanked the chairman for his kindly reference to the Education Board and conveyed greetings from the chairman and members of the board. The board tried to do its best for all schools, with particular interest in country schools. They had with them that day Mr James Smith, an ex-member of the board, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers of the district, and to whom was due a great deal oi credit for the work he had done in the early days. Mr Fleming added that he hoped they would carry away with them happy recollections of that day’s gathering. . Mr Roy expressed thanks for the invitation to be present, and said he was sure that those taking part in the celebrations would go away with pleasant memories. On occasions of this kind it was fitting that they should remember those expupils who had gone to the Great War. He had been informed that 18 young men from the district had answered the call to arms, and of these five had made the supreme sacrifice. These young men had started life in the school where they had learned the principles of discipline and self-control. They had carried those principles into battle and had uphold the honour of the school. Many returned men to-day were showing the sheets of the sacrifices they had made and were deserving of all the help and sympathy they could get. He concluded by congratulating the committee on the excellent gathering and wished all a very happy time. The Rev. A. R. Chisholm, oi Waitahuna, congratulated the committee on the jubilee, which he said was a time for gladness and rejoicing, and brought back memories and thoughts of youth. He was pleased to know that the school was horn ing its own. Those who had attended many years ago would see great changes, both in the country and the people, but behind it all there was a “ something ” that held them to the past. Mr R. Skinner said he was pleased to see so many old friends. He recalled Jiis days on the School Committee, of which Mr Duncan Robertson was the first chairman. They had got on well together as a committee. He endorsed what Mr Fleming had said about the Education Boaid and said that during his long service on school committees the board had alwavs treated them well. He hoped they would keep the school open. Miss Craig, an px-teacher. said she had pleasant recollections of her stay in the district, and paid a tribute to the children of country schools, who, she said, were more industrious than those of town schools, ag they did not have the same diversions. Mrs Allan, another ex-teacher, said the happiest days of her life had been spent in the district. She then read the roll, a large number answering to their names. Mr Fleming called upon Allan Harrex and Evelyn Middleton, the youngest pupils at the school, to present to Mrs James Cameron and Mr James Rowan (the oldest pupils present) a bouquet and buttonhole respectively. , Then followed more photographing, the various decades being taken separately. It is worthy of note that in the group

of the oldest decade, 1885-1895, no fewer than 14 ex-pupils and ex-teachers were taken. During the adjournment for afternoon tea many happy groups were to be seen scattered about the ground partaking of an al fresco meal. This was the opportunity for _ exchanging reminiscences, and many incidents of early school days were retold. Later, the crowd adjourned to an adjoining paddock, where an interesting sports programme was gone through. Mrs Gerkin (nee Doreen Wheeler), of Dunedin, entertained with several national dances, Mr E. B. Gold providing the pipe music. Hearty applause was accorded the dancer. The celebrations were concluded at night, when a social and dance was held in the school, which was crowded. The jubilee cake was cut, and the function was a particularly happy one. The committee, of which Mr S. Webster was chairman and Mr G. Fordyce secretary, is to be congratulated on the very fine organisation of the functions, which passed off without a hitch of any kind.